The Mindful Lens

Versace on Seeing

One of my favorite modern photographers is Vincent Versace. I love his fine art photography but, even more than the images themselves, I love his approach to photography. If you've had the chance to attend one of his classes or workshops, you know what I mean (and if not, do yourself a favor and go). He is the one photographer who's classes I make it a point to attend at every Photoshop World I go to. 

For Versace, it's not about technique, although he'd be the first to tell you that "perfect practice makes perfect." For Vincent, creating remarkable images that speak to something deeper is about "seeing" with that other eye we have. The eye we develop from careful observation, not by simply repeating a technique we've learned. To truly see and capture the essence of the scene in front of the lens and reveal its true essence, not just a documentary record of what we saw.

If this sounds at all interesting to you, and I hope it does, take some time to read and absorb an excerpt from his upcoming book, Return To Oz. You can find it here as a guest post on Scott Kelby's Photoshop Insider.

To get a hint of what Versace is talking about:

"There is a revolution in photography happening. We are witnessing it now; the digital image for the first time allows anyone onto the pathway to creative greatness. A place where impossible is merely an opinion, an opinion that is held not by the viewer of the image but by the creator of that image. Which means that personal imagination is then the only limitation. It is important to not merely focus on technique for technique’s sake, but to discover what it means to see rather than merely look. It is in that direction that you will come full circle and find the voice within you that yearns to be heard and needs to be heard. Once you discover that technique is merely a detail—a consideration, nothing more—then in that moment the voice within you, the visual poet who fell in love with photography, will be free to create images that will change the world of those who view them."

The conversation is shifting...

Tapping Into the Tao

I've recently been rereading the Tao Te Ching with the thought of seeing how it can apply to being mindful behind the lens. I've been pleasantly surprised to find that there are many verses that we can use and think about.

For me, one of the greatest joys of photography are those times when you're clicking away, working the scene, and everything else has just fallen away. You're not thinking about your job, your family, or anything that's been troubling you. You are completely immersed in what you are doing with the scene in front of you. If you've spent any amount of time behind the lens, you know what I'm talking about. The objects arrange themselves perfectly, the light is right where you want it and you know you are getting the shots you want. I liken this to 'Being in the Zone' athletically. It simply becomes effortless. 

I think at that point, we have tapped into something bigger than ourselves. It's almost as though everything has aligned to come together in front of your lens at that very moment. I don't think we can call on this moment when we need it. It resists being controlled. I think the best you can do is to know your gear, head into the world with an open mind, put yourself in a spot you think worthy, and simply wait to see what happens. Wait for whatever "it" is to reveal itself.

It won't always happen, but when it does, you will know it for what it is and be grateful. With that in mind, the Tao Te Ching speaks to this idea:

Look, and it can't be seen.

Listen, and it can't be heard.

Reach, and it can't be grasped.

Above, it isn't bright.

Below, it isn't dark.

Seamless, unnamable,

it returns to the realm of nothing.

Form that includes all forms,

image without an image,

subtle, beyond all conception.

Approach it and there is no beginning;

follow it and there is no end.

You can't know it, but you can be it,

at ease in your own life.

Just realize where you come from:

this is the essence of wisdom.

(verse 14, Stephen Mitchell translation)

We're Back!

Hi Folks. It's been a while and I do apologize. Over the past few months my life has undergone some dramatic shifts, foremost being the death of my father. While it wasn't unexpected, I was and still am shocked at how unprepared you are for such an event, even when you think you are. It sent me sideways, and my interest in photography with it. 

I found myself going out with a camera but not really "seeing" anymore. Things were just there, not holding much interest or an impetus to be captured. After several months though, I find that it's starting to come back. I'm getting stoked about the different facets of photography again, about leading a 'photographic life'. 

This rekindling also seems to be paralleled by a seeming shift in what people are talking about in podcasts and the blogoshpere. Some of the conversation seems to be moving away from technique and more towards vision and creativity. The things this blog tries to be about. Not as much talk about megapixels, the endless RAW vs JPEG debate, the latest software upgrades, etc. While we need to know this stuff, at a certain point it becomes overload. 

David duChemin just published an excellent new book about photographic vision, Vincent Versace is working on a followup to Welcome to Oz, I'm hearing more about it on podcasts and seeing more about it on other blogs and websites. The conversation is shifting. 

As we get ready for Summer, it's time for new beginnings, new commitments, new ideas. I promise that The Mindful Lens will help you be a part of this evolving conversation.

Best,

Tom